Boyer Homers, Privateers Baseball Evens Series Against Abilene Christian

BOX SCORE (XML) | BOX SCORE (PDF)

ABILENE, Texas – Chaz Boyer hit a solo home run in the eighth inning and Daniel Martinez put the finishing touches on his tenth save of the season as the University of New Orleans baseball team (27-18, 11-12 Southland) held on for a 1-0 win over the Abilene Christian Wildcats (14-29, 6-17) on Saturday at Crutcher Scott Field.
 
With the game scoreless and a battle on the mound that developed early, Boyer drove one into the wind that had enough carry to go over the right field wall. It was Boyer's fourth round tripper of the season and it was all the Privateers needed as Martinez came in to nail down a six-out save.
 
"In those types of situations, we're lulling right now and we have to have people step up," said Coach Blake Dean. "I didn't think it was possible to cut this wind, but Chaz crushed it and our bullpen came in after that and shut them down."
 
The save did not come without tense moments. A lead-off two-base fielding error in the eighth put Russell Crippen in scoring position, but Martinez bounced back to strike out two batters including Derek Scott to end the inning. Crippen was stranded at third.
 
In the ninth, Austin Call narrowly missed a homer, doubling off the left field fence with one out. A single through the left side of the infield put runners on the corners. Martinez then struck out Hunter Hays looking and induced a 1-3 ground out to preserve the victory. Jarred Taylor (6-0) picked up the win after pitching the deciding seventh inning and keeping the Wildcats scoreless.
 
"We for sure made it close, but Daniel found a way to get it done," said Dean. "He made some big pitches at some critical times and got it done for us."
 
Hunter Medine did not get the decision, but pitched a sharp game, throwing six shutout frames while walking only one. Medine threw 71 pitches and 45 strikes. He also induced 10 ground ball outs during his outing and lowered his ERA to 3.93.
 
"Hunter did a great job," said Dean. "That's what happens when you throw strikes and you have something other than a fastball to feature. It gives you a chance to win every time. The key was he didn't give free passes and he pitched to contact."
 
Jay Robinson came up with a productive night, going 3-for-3 with a double. Aaron Palmer also collected two hits. Boyer had two hits including the game-winning homer as the Privateers collected their first victory against Abilene Christian in their fifth try.
 
The Wildcats were led by Aaron Mason who pitched into the ninth and scattered seven hits while striking out four. Nick Palacios pitched the final 0.2 innings. At the plate, Call, Heath Beasley, and Mark Pearson each had two hits.
 
The series concludes Sunday with a first pitch at 1 p.m.
 
Season tickets for the 2016 campaign are available for as low as $125 and single-game tickets start at $5. For additional information, contact the UNO Athletics Ticket Office at (504) 280-GAME (4263) or click HERE.
 
For more information, follow the Privateers on Twitter @UNOPrivateers and @Privateers_BSB or like us on Facebook.